god sends ravens to bring food to elijah • lesson 5 bible ... · pdf filegod sends ravens...

67Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

Bible Point God is our friend when we’re all alone.

God Sends Ravens to Bring Food to Elijah • Lesson 5

Bible VerseO Lord, you know me (adapted from Psalm 139:1).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n experience being alone, n hear how God took care of Elijah when he was alone, n teach Whiskers that God is with him when he’s alone at night, and n encourage one another to remember that God is always with them.

Teacher Enrichment

Bible Basisn God sends ravens to bring food to Elijah.

During the time period described in this passage, the Israelites were making sacrifices to the idol Baal in hopes that he would send rain and fertility. God demonstrated to his people that he alone controlled nature by striking the land with drought. God chose Elijah to deliver the news of the upcoming drought to the king.

False prophets, those who would tell a king only the sort of good news they knew he wanted to hear, were a dime a dozen in Israel. Those who spoke the truth, especially when it was bad news, were persecuted. Elijah’s role in announcing the drought made him a fugitive, so God sent Elijah into hiding. During that time, God miraculously provided for Elijah’s need for food by sending ravens to bring bread and meat.

Prayer• Read Matthew 6:31-33.• How has worry kept you from focusing on your relationship with God?• Pray: Lord, thank you that you are faithful. Help me turn over my worries to you, especially…

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and

Learning Lab Supplies listed on the chart.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with

your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction as you teach the lesson.

1 Kings 17:1-6

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 468

Lesson 5

What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

WelcomeTime

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Praying Hands Name Tags” (p. 23), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the

optional activities until everyone

arrives.

Option 1: Water, Water Everywhere—Explore the sight, feel, and sound of water; and hear how Elijah lived by a stream.

Plastic tablecloth, shallow tubs of water, measuring spoons and cups, bowls, pitchers, towels

Option 2: Stream Box—Use a box to construct the ravine where Elijah stayed.

Large cardboard box, scissors, crayons, modeling dough, twigs

Option 3: Raven Sculptures—Make aluminum-foil ravens, and hear how ravens brought food to Elijah.

Aluminum foil

Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as they pick up toys and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Experience being alone by hiding in private places.

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, CD player

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Hear how God sent food to Elijah when Elijah was living by the stream.

Bible, CD player, foil ravens from Option 3

Do the Bible Story—Dry up water on the Learning Mat to see what it would be like to live without rain.

Small cup of water, blow-dryer, small crackers

Closing Whiskers Is Afraid—Reassure Whiskers that God is his friend when he’s alone.

All-Alone Prayers—Sit alone and then with a friend; then sing a song to remind them that God is with them.

CD player

This Lesson at a Glance

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.


God Sends Ravens to Bring Food to Elijah

Welcome TimeSupplieS: “Praying Hands Name Tags” (p. 23), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape• Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them how they put last week’s lesson into practice. Use

questions such as “What did you tell your friends about how Samuel obeyed God?” or “What’s one way you obeyed God this week?”

• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God is our friend when we’re all alone.

• Hand out the praying hands name tags children made during Lesson 1, and help children attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if children weren’t in class that week, have children make new name tags using the photocopiable name tag patterns.

• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate among the children to offer help as needed and direct children’s

conversations toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “What do you like to do when you’re with your friends?” or “What do you think it would be like to live by a stream?”

n Option 1: Water, Water everywhereSupplieS: plastic tablecloth or shower curtain, shallow tubs of water, measuring spoons and cups, small bowls and pitchers, towels

Spread a plastic tablecloth or shower curtain on the floor. Set out several shallow tubs of water, measuring spoons and cups, small bowls, and small pitchers. Let children use the containers to measure and pour the water. Have towels nearby so children can wipe up spills and dry their hands.

Talk about how the water looks, feels, and sounds. Have children help you think of ways we use water. Explain that today’s Bible story is about a man who drank water from a stream when he was all alone. Point out that God provided the water, and remind children that God is our friend when we’re all alone.

It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point again and again will help children remember it and apply it to their lives.


Lesson 5

n Option 2: Stream BoxSupplieS: large cardboard box, scissors, crayons, modeling dough, twigs

Before class, cut two sides out of a large cardboard box as shown in the margin.Tell children that today’s Bible story is about a man who lived near a stream that

flowed through a ravine. Explain that a ravine is a narrow canyon with high cliff walls. Show children the box, and point out that the sides of the box are like the walls of a ravine.

Set out crayons, modeling dough, and small twigs. Let children draw a stream in the bottom of the box, and then add modeling-dough rocks and trees. Children may also want to decorate the sides of the box with mountains, clouds, birds, and so on. As they work, talk about how Elijah lived alone by the stream. Remind children that God is our friend when we’re all alone.

Leave the completed ravine in your room during this module. Children can use it to review today’s Bible story.

n Option 3: Raven SculpturesSupplieS: aluminum foil

Give each child a large square of aluminum foil. Help children sculpt their foil into bird shapes. Demonstrate that the foil can be crumpled, bent, or curved into the shape of a bird. As children work, explain that today’s Bible story is about a man who was fed by big black birds called ravens.

If children finish early, have them make extra ravens for other children in the class. You’ll need a raven for each child. Set the raven sculptures aside for use during the Bible story.

If you choose not to do this activity, children can quickly make their ravens before you tell the Bible Story.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n pick-up TimeSupplieS: CD player

Lead children in singing “Come Along With Me” with the CD (track 2) to the tune of “Come and Go With Me.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

Come along with me and pick up all our things,Pick up all our things,Pick up all our things.Come along with me and pick up all our thingsSo our room will be clean.

(Repeat 2x.)

Provide clean sand and glue sticks. Let children glue a layer of sand to the bottom of the box.

Bring in black craft feathers that children can poke into their foil sculptures.

track 2



Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSupplieS: none

Tell children that when they hear you clap your hands two times, they’re to stop what they’re doing and clap their hands two times. Practice this signal a few times. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Ask: • What did you make or do when you came to class today? (Played with water; made birds; made a river.)

Say: If you played with water, stand up and say “splash,” and then sit down. Pause. If you built a ravine, hold your arms high over your head like the walls of a ravine, and then sit down. Pause. If you made birds called ravens, stand up and “fly” around our story area, and then sit down. Pause.

Ravens are an important part of our Bible story. Let’s all pretend to be ravens. We’ll fly around our story area once together, and then I’d like each raven to find his or her own hiding place. Try to find a place where no one else can see you.

Lead children in flying around the story area; then help them find their own hiding places. If your room doesn’t have hiding places where children can be completely out of view, have children spread out around the room and close their eyes. When everyone has found a spot, say: I’m going to ask you some questions. I’d like you to speak your answers softly from your hiding places. In a few minutes, we’ll come out of our hiding places and talk about our answers together.

Ask: • How do you like being in your own private place? (It’s nice; it’s fun; it’s too dark.)

• What’s it like not to be able to see any of your friends? (It’s lonely; I don’t mind since I can hear everyone else; I don’t like it.)

“Find” one child, take that child by the hand, and together search for and find another child. Continue until you’ve found all the children, and then return to your story area.

Ask: • What was it like to be all alone in your hiding place? (Fun; scary; I could see people; I wondered where everyone else was hiding.)

• What was it like to be found? (Good; I was glad to open my eyes; I liked looking for people.)

Say: Sometimes it’s fun to hide where no one can see us. But I know someone who can always see us. No matter where we go—even if we’re hiding—God can find us. God is our friend when we’re all alone. Let’s bring out our Bible now and hear what happened when a man named Elijah was all alone.

At this stage in their physical development, 3- and 4-year-olds have lots of energy, and can walk and run with confidence.


Lesson 5

n Bible Song and prayer TimeSupplieS: Bible, CD player

Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, we’ll pass around our special Bible. The person who’s holding the Bible when the music stops will be our Bible person today.

Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad for the Bible” with the CD (track 3) to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.” As you sing, pass around the special Bible.

I’m so glad for the Bible,Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.I’m so glad for God’s book today.I’m so glad for the Bible,Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’—Keep me learnin’ all about his way.

Let me hear ’bout God’s love—Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.Let me hear ’bout God’s love for me.Let me hear ’bout God’s love—Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.Let’s shine the light for all to see.

(Repeat first verse.)

When the music stops, invite the child who’s holding the Bible to bring it to you. Stamp the child’s hand with the raven stamp, and thank the child for bringing you the Bible. Then stamp the other children’s hands. Return the raven stamp and ink pad to the Learning Lab.

Say: I’m thankful for [name of child who brought the Bible], and I’m thankful for everyone in our class today. Let’s thank God together for all our friends in this class.

Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad We’re Together” with the CD (track 4) to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.”

I’m so glad we’re together.Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’.I’m so glad we’re all here today.I’m so glad we’re together.Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’—Prayin’ for each other every day.

Lead children in folding their hands and bowing their heads as you continue to sing.

tracks 3 & 4If the ink pad is dry, moisten it with three to five drops of water.

You can also choose children to be the Bible-Replacer (to put the Bible away) and the Cheerleader. Just be sure to keep track of who fills your roles each week, so each child gets a chance to feel special.

Play “The Bible Is God’s Special Book” (track 21 on the CD) when you bring out your Bible.You can find the lyrics on page 80 if the children want to sing along.

our Bible song, we’ll pass around our special Bible. The person who’s holding the Bible when the music stops will be our Bible person today.

the you sing, pass around the special Bible.



Thank you, Lord, for each one.Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful.Thank you for everyone who’s here.Thank you, Lord, for each one.Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful—Thankful for our friends both far and near.

After the song, pray: Thank you, God, for all our friends who are here today. Thank you for being our friend, too, and especially for being with us whenever we’re alone. Your love makes us feel safe. In Jesus’ name, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySupplieS: Bible, CD player, foil ravens from Option 3

Open the Bible to 1 Kings 17, and show it to the children. Say: Our Bible story comes from the book of 1 Kings in the Bible. Our Learning Mat shows us pictures of our Bible story.

Set out the Learning Mat. Say: Look at our Learning Mat and point to something we’ve talked about today.

Children may point to Elijah, the ravens, or the stream. Say: We’re going to hear a story now about how God

used ravens to take care of Elijah. In just a minute, I’ll pass out the foil ravens. Listen carefully, because whenever you hear the word “raven,” I’d like you to fly your ravens over the Learning Mat.

Hand out children’s raven sculptures, and then play the “By the Stream” segment from the CD (track 12). If children didn’t make ravens during Let’s Get Started, pass out foil squares and have them make ravens now. Follow along in the script below, and be ready to prompt children when it’s time to fly their ravens.

Hello. My name is Elijah. I’m a prophet. It’s my job to give people messages from God. One day I had to give a message to the king of Israel.

So I went into the king’s palace. “I’m a prophet,” I told the king. “I serve the Lord.” Then I told the king that God wouldn’t let any rain fall for two or three years. Well, I’ll bet you can guess that the king didn’t like to hear that very much! After all, without rain people and animals get very thirsty and plants can’t grow. My message made the king very angry. He didn’t want to listen to God, and he didn’t want to listen to me. In fact, no one wanted to listen to me. I felt afraid and very lonely.

But do you know what God did for me? God told me about a place where I could hide from the king. I quickly left to go find the place God told me about.

Well, I walked…and walked…and walked.Finally, I came to the place God had told me about. It was near a little stream.

I was glad to hear the sound of the stream—all that walking had made me thirsty. I got down on my hands and knees and took a big drink of water from the stream.

track 12


Lesson 5

Then I got up and looked around. I was all alone, and it was very quiet. No one knew where I was—except God. I knew God would take care of me.

The next morning when I woke up, I heard the sound of birds flying overhead. I looked up and saw two ravens. The ravens swooped down and landed right next to me. They were carrying meat and bread in their beaks! God had sent the ravens to bring me food!

I stayed by the stream for a long time, and every morning and night God sent the ravens with bread and meat. God was my friend when I was alone! He took good care of me.

Stop the CD and ask: • What do you think it would be like to get food from ravens? (Fun; I’d be scared they’d peck me; gross.)

• What do you think it was like for Elijah to live by the stream all alone? (Scary; fun; lonely.)

• When is a time you are alone? (When I play in my room; when I go to bed at night; when I watch cartoons.)

• What’s it like to be alone? (Lonely; quiet; I like having privacy.)Say: Sometimes it’s fun to be alone for a little while. But Elijah was alone

for a long, long time. He probably didn’t see anybody or talk to anybody for months and months! But Elijah knew there was one friend who was with him even when he was alone. God was with Elijah, and God knew what Elijah needed. In fact, God knew everything about Elijah! God knows everything about us, too. Our Bible verse says, O Lord, you know me (adapted from Psalm 139:1). God is our friend who knows us, and God is our friend when we’re all alone. We can trust God to take care of us, just as Elijah trusted God.

n Do the Bible StorySupplieS: small cup of water, blow-dryer, small crackers

Have children gather around the Learning Mat and take off their shoes and socks. Say: Let’s pretend we’re Elijah.

Let kids say, “Hi! I’m Elijah!” or greet one another. Then say: Now let’s pretend we’re Elijah sitting near the edge of the stream. We’ll dangle our toes into the water.

Show children how to touch their toes to the picture of the stream on the Learning Mat. Then say: Now let’s stand up and wade through the stream. I’ll wade through first, and then you can follow me, one at a time.

Carefully walk through the stream on the Learning Mat. As you walk, say things such as “I’m going to step on this rock so I don’t fall in and get wet” or “Oh my, this water is very muddy. I think the stream must be drying up!” Let children take turns walking through the stream after you.



After everyone has walked through the stream, have children sit around the Learning Mat. Say: When it rains, streams are full of water. But when it doesn’t rain for a long time, streams start to dry up. Let’s see how that happens.

Sprinkle a few drops of water on the stream, and use a blow-dryer to “dry up” the stream. Let the children take turns holding the blow-dryer. Say: After Elijah told the king that no more rain would come, many of the streams dried up. But the stream God led Elijah to was full of water. The Bible says that God provided food for Elijah by sending little bits of food in the mouths of ravens. Let’s all pretend to be ravens with food in our beaks.

Let children “fly” around the room and pretend to be birds. Feed each one a small cracker. Remind children that even though they get to eat the food in their “beaks,” the ravens God sent didn’t eat the food. Instead, they took it to Elijah.

Say: God took good care of Elijah while Elijah was living alone by the stream. God is our friend when we’re all alone, too.

Speaking of friends, I wonder where our friend Whiskers is? Maybe he’d like to hear our story about Elijah. Let’s call for him.

Lead children in calling for Whiskers, and then continue with the lesson.

Closingn Whiskers is AfraidSupplieS: none

Bring out Whiskers the Mouse, and go through the following puppet script. When you finish the script, put Whiskers away and out of sight.

Teacher: Whiskers, you look a little sad today. What’s wrong? Last week you were going to make a new cake. Did your cake turn out funny again?

Whiskers: (Shakes head.) No, my new cake turned out really great. My family ate it for dessert.

Teacher: Well, is something else wrong?

Whiskers: (Nodding) My brother is spending the night with his friend across the street.

Teacher: That sounds like fun for your brother. Are you sad that you don’t get to go with him?

Whiskers: No, I’m just scared to sleep in our room all alone. I’m used to sharing the room with my brother.

Teacher: Oh, I remember the first time I slept in a room all alone, too. Is anyone else ever scared to sleep alone? (Let children respond.)


Lesson 5

n All-Alone prayersSupplieS: CD player

Have children spread out around the room. Say: I’d like you to think about a time you might feel alone this week. Maybe you feel alone when you’re waiting for a brother or sister to come home from school, or maybe you feel alone when you’re

lying in your bed at night. Raise your hand when you’ve thought of a time you might feel alone.

Wait until most children have raised their hands and then invite them to tell you about times they’ve felt alone. Say: When you start to feel alone or afraid this week, remember that God is your friend when you’re all alone. Say that to yourself: God is my friend when I’m all alone.

Pause for children to repeat the Bible Point, and then continue: Now I’d like you to move so you’re sitting near a partner. When you’ve found partners, raise your hands.

Help children find partners. Then say: Now tell your partner “God is your friend when you’re all alone.” Pause for children to say this, and then have pairs scoot closer together.

Teacher: Whiskers, our Bible story today was about a man named Elijah who was all alone for a long time. Children, let’s tell Whiskers about Elijah.

(Lead children in telling Whiskers how Elijah lived by the stream, and then continue.)

Whiskers: Elijah must have been very brave. I’m scared to be alone.

Teacher: Even though there were no other people around him, Elijah knew he wasn’t really all alone. He trusted God to take care of him. God is our friend when we’re all alone.

Whiskers: You mean God is always my friend, even when it seems like I’m all by myself?

Teacher: That’s right, Whiskers. Children, what can we do when we’re alone and feeling scared? (Let children share ideas.)

Whiskers: Hmm. Those are good ideas. Maybe sleeping by myself won’t be so scary after all. (Sounding tentative) God is my friend when I’m all alone. (With confidence) God is my friend when I’m all alone. That’s great! I feel much better. I think I’ll go play with my brother before he goes to his friend’s house. Thanks, friends! Goodbye!

Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Preschool granted for local church use.Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. HandsOnBible.com

track 11



Say: God gave us Jesus as our very best friend. Friends stick together and help each other. Even though we can’t see him, Jesus stays with us and helps us. And we can talk to him when it feels like we’re alone! Jesus is our forever friend.

Say: Let’s close our class by singing a song that will help us remember that God is our friend when we’re all alone. Lead children in singing “I Love My Friends” with the CD (track 11) to the tune of

“Three Blind Mice.”

I love my friends.I love my friends.My friends love me.My friends love me.We stick together from head to toe.We stick together through high and low.We stick together through yes and no.I love my friends.

Want even more activity ideas for this lesson? Check out HandsOnBible.com/tips.

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with the children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.


Lesson 5

n lively learning: Rain paintingTake children outside to a sidewalk. Set out a bucket of water, and let children make “raindrops” on the

sidewalk. Have them watch how the water first makes marks but then gradually disappears. If children enjoy this activity, let them use paintbrushes to draw water pictures from today’s Bible story. Review how Elijah told the king it wouldn’t rain for several years.

n Make to Take: Flying RavensBefore class, cut 9 x12 sheets of black construction paper into

strips, as shown at left. You’ll need two strips for each child in your class. You’ll also need a box of crackers.

Give each child two construction paper strips. Show children how to fold the strips in half and then fold the sides out to create wings, as shown. Remind children that God sent ravens to bring food to Elijah when he was all alone. Point out that God is our friend when we’re all alone.

When children have finished their ravens, have them clean their hands. Pass out crackers, and show children how to hold the crackers in the center section of their ravens. Let children “fly” the crackers around the room and then deliver them to friends.

n Treat to eat: Bird SandwichesBefore class, locate or make bird-shaped cookie cutters. You can

purchase them or make your own by flattening an empty cereal box and cutting it into two-inch strips. Curve, bend, and tape each cardboard strip into a simple bird shape, as shown at left.

Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink. Set out sliced bread, meat, and cheese and the bird-shaped cookie cutters. Show children how to gently press the cutters into slices of bread, meat, and cheese; then have them layer the slices into sandwiches. As children

enjoy the snack, review how ravens brought food to Elijah.

n Story picture: Ravens Feed elijahCover a work area with newspaper, and set out crayons, small cups of birdseed, craft

sticks, and several bowls of glue. Play “You Know Everything About Me” (Psalm 139:1-3) on the CD (track 13) in the background as children work. Give each child a copy of the “Today I Learned…” handout. Have children color their pictures of Elijah and the birds. Then help

them spread glue with craft sticks (or fingers!) onto the blank areas of their pictures.As children finish spreading the glue, help them sprinkle birdseed over the glue-covered areas on their

pictures. Shake the excess birdseed into a bowl or trash can. As children work, review Elijah’s story. Remind them that God is our friend when we’re all alone.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

track 13

79

Lesson 5Today your child learned that GOD IS OUR FRIEND WHEN WE’RE ALL ALONE. Children heard how God took care of Elijah when he was living alone by a stream. They thanked God for being with them.

when we’re all alone.God is our friend

O Lord, you know me (adapted from Psalm 139:1).

n How did Elijah get food to eat when he was living alone?

n How does God take care of you?

n How can our family trust God to take care of us this week?

n Take a walk to a nearby stream, pond, lake, or pool. If possible, dip your fingers or toes into the water or go for a wade or swim. (Save tasting for the closest drinking fountain!) Talk about how Elijah lived by the stream.

n Build a stream in a sandbox, on a beach, or in a plastic basin. You’ll need sand at least six inches deep. Use a spoon or stick to create a valley in the sand and then fill it with water from a hose or pitcher.

Elijah Is Fed by Ravens (1 Kings 17:1-6)

Help me learn this:

Ask me:

Family Fun

Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Preschool granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539. HandsOnBible.com


The Bible is God’s Special BookUse this song anytime as a time-filler, for background music, or a way to work the wiggles out. Kids can march around the room with the music or create actions to go with the lyrics.

Chorus:Hallelujah! Sing it loud!The Bible is God’s special book.Hallelujah! Sing it loud!The Bible is God’s special book.Hallelujah! Sing it loud!Come with me and take a look.

One, two, ready, go!

Verse 1:Genesis! It’s a great place to start,With Adam and EveAnd Noah and the Ark.(Splish, splash.)

Psalms! (Psalms!)It’s written from the heart,Songs that DavidPlayed upon his harp.(Pring, pring.)

(Sing chorus.)

One, two, ready, go!

Verse 2:Daniel! God shut the lion’s mouth.Jonah! A big fish spit him out.(Ptooie!)

Then there’s Matthew,Mark, Luke, and John:Books about Jesus.He is God’s own Son.

(Sing chorus.)

“The Bible Is God’s Special Book” by Ben Glover. © 2005 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

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